Forthcoming elections will be the most important in the history of modern Armenia, says international expert

10:43 • 19.10.18

The international community has been watching events in Armenia carefully since the spring, Dennis Sammut, Executive Director of LINKS (Dialogue, Analysis and Research) and Member of the European Policy Center, said in an interview with Tert.am, commenting on the power transition processes that swept Nikol Pashinyan into the office of Prime Minister.

“There is admiration for how such a radical change - not only change of personalities, but also in the whole way government is conducted – has taken place peacefully,” he noted.

The expert considered Nikol Pashinyan’s October 16 resignation and the plan to conduct snap parliamentary elections in December absolutely logical in the context of completing the political processes initiated back in April.

“The people will have their final say not in the street, but through the ballot box. I consider that the forthcoming elections will be the most important in the history of modern Armenia. Who wins is important, but equally important is going to be the conduct of these elections – will they be genuinely free and fair? Will the principle of secret ballot be scrupulously respected? Will the people have a genuine choice, not only on personalities, but also on policies?”

Sammut also stressed the importance of scrutinizing political parties’ programs properly.

“These are exciting times for Armenia and I think if the process is properly conducted the country will emerge from the elections more politically mature, and stronger in many ways,” he said.

Asked whether the developments in Armenia can be used as a capital in international relations, the expert replied, “Since the process is ongoing, it is too early to say - the election will be the big test. But in the meantime, the fact that change took place in April in a very peaceful way was very well assessed, and Prime Minister Pashinyan has been an effective operator in the international sphere in the few months he has been prime minister so certainly these are positive features.”